I could have been a gambler
'Cause I'm good with the cards
I could have been a lover
Breakin' other's hearts
And I feel so silly
Bettin' on the dice
And a lover seldom sees
The same girl twice
And that is why (that is why)
That's why I chose (that's why I chose)
I chose to sing the blues, yes I did
Now, I could have been a doctor
Helping the sick
And I could have been a lawyer
But you know that ain't my stick
'Cause I feel so bad
If a patient didn't do well
And I feel just as bad
To leave a client in jail
And that is why (that is why)
That's why I chose (that's why I chose)
I chose to sing the blues

[Sax solo]

Now a man has a lot
That he could present
Just to think I could have been
President
But I can't understand
What politicians say
So I want to talk to you
In my own little way
And that is why (that is why)
That's why I chose (that's why I chose)
I chose to sing the blues
Yes I did, friends
Don't you know what I mean
I like what I'm doin'
You know, I like the blues
Everybody understands
What I mean when I say
Something like this here
Unnnnnnn-hoo
Yeah
Yeah-hoo
That's what I'm talkin' 'bout when I sing